Extra Support
Domestic and Family Violence Services within Australia
This page contains information about additional resources and support that is available to help with issues relating to family violence, suicidal ideation and self-harm, along with support specific to children and those who identify as LGBTIQA+
Whether or not coaching with Danielle is right for you at this point in your journey, you are encouraged to make contact with one or more organisations listed below for confidential and non-judgemental guidance, counselling and support.
About Family Violence
Family violence is the term used in Australia, and other parts of the world, to describe patterns of abusive and controlling behaviours that can take many different forms. It can also be called ‘domestic violence’ or ‘intimate partner violence’.
A large percentage of family violence and post-separation abuse in Australia is non-physical.
No matter what you call it, it’s abuse.
Family violence happens within intimate relationships, and between other family members. It can be referred to as post-separation abuse when it is directed at a former partner.
Family violence is rarely a one-off incident. Post-separation abuse is a common continuation of family violence, underpinned by issues of power and control, after a relationship has ended.
Family violence and post-separation abuse can affect anyone and does not discriminate according to gender, sex, age, culture, religion, race, nationality, identity, sexuality, disability, income, level of education, place of residence or lifestyle.
Patterns of family violence and post-separation abuse are most frequently perpetrated by men, as a means to maintain power and control over partners, former partners and children.
Money worries?
Some family violence services are able to help you pay for the specialist separation and divorce coaching that I provide.
For Domestic and Family Violence Services in your state, please keep scrolling on this page. If you are interested in financial support from a support service, make sure you advocate for yourself and ask whether they are able to help you access separation and divorce coaching, or whether they can refer you to someone who can.
Australia-Wide Support
IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER CALL: 000
1800RESPECT
1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. Services include phone and online counselling, service directory, information about family violence and abuse, safety planning, and support for those who are concerned for the safety of a friend or family member. Phone support is available 24/7: 1800 737 732
Consider downloading the 'Daisy' app, developed by 1800RESPECT and translated into 28 languages. ‘Daisy’ is free and connects women around Australia to services that provide support for the impact of sexual assault and family violence.
eSafety Commissioner
More than 99% of Australian victims of domestic and family violence have also experienced technology-facilitated abuse (also known as ‘cyber abuse’ and ‘tech abuse’), with at least 70% of reports made to the eSafety Commissioner being from women and girls. Technology-facilitated abuse is an extension of coercion and harassment in situations of domestic and family violence, and post-separation abuse.
The eSafety website provides an avenue to report technology-facilitated abuse, and also cyber-bullying, along with resources and information to help people cope with technology-facilitated abuse. The website includes tips on how to protect yourself and your family, and stay safe.
Many of events of technology-facilitated abuse are crimes under Australian law and can be reported to the police. The law covers things such as stalking, sending threatening emails and texts, using tracking apps and spyware, online bullying and sharing intimate images or videos without consent.
Lifeline
Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services via phone call, text and online web chat. Lifeline exists so that no person in Australia has to face their darkest moments alone: 13 11 14
Kids Helpline
Confidential phone, web, and email counselling for children and young people aged 5-25. Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week : 1800 551 800
BeyondBlue
We all have good days and bad days. Then there are days when something isn't quite right, or things just seem too much. Whatever it may be, it can make a real difference having someone to talk to. To listen to you. And to give you advice. All calls and chats are one-on-one with a counsellor. Online chat is available, along with an online forum. There is support for those who are deaf or hearing impaired, and for those for whom English is not their first language. 24/7 phone support: 1300 224 636
QLife
Australia-wide anonymous, LGBTI peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. Support is available 3PM-Midnight 7 days: 1800 184 527
MensLine
MensLine provides 24/7 telephone and online support and information for men with personal, family and/or relationship concerns: 1300 789 978
Men’s Referral Service
The Men’s Referral Service is operated by No to Violence and takes calls from men and women who are looking for help to improve their wellbeing and safety, who want to improve the wellbeing and safety of their children, or who are looking for help for their partner or a male family member: 1300 766 491
Victoria
Safe Steps
Safe Steps is the Victorian statewide access point for those who need family violence counselling, safety planning to help manage risk (such as when preparing to leave a violent situation and/or access emergency crisis accommodation), and can also provide information to family/friends who are concerned about a loved one. Support is available 24/7 via phone, email or online web chat: 1800 015 188
The Orange Door
The Orange Door is part of the Victorian Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Family Violence. It strengthens support for children and families. The Orange Door is a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children.
You should contact The Orange Door if: someone close to you is hurting you, controlling you or making you feel afraid – such as your partner, family member, carer or parent(s); you are a child or young person who doesn’t have what you need to be OK; you are worried about the safety of a friend or family member; you need more support with the care of children, e.g. due to money issues, illness, addiction, grief, isolation or conflict; you are worried about the safety of a child or young person; you need help to change your behaviour and stop using violence in your relationships. The Orange Door can work with you on your own, or together with your family members depending on your situation. Visit the website to find the location and number closest to your location.
Safe + Equal
Safe and Equal is the peak body for Victoria’s specialist family violence services supporting victim survivors. Safe and Equal works with practitioners and leaders to bring grassroots issues into the public policy arena, coordinate and participate in advocacy and action to reform policy and improve the service system, and scale up and embed practice development and innovation across the continuum from primary prevention to recovery.
What’s OK At Home
Information to help people understand what family violence is, why it happens, how to recognise it and how to help others who are experiencing it. Specific spaces are available on the website for adult allies of those experiencing violence and abuse, for those aged 10-13 years and for those aged 14-17 years.
Rainbow Door
Rainbow Door is a free specialist LGBTIQA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Gender Diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual, BrotherBoys, SisterGirls) helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family. Rainbow Door supports people of all ages and identities with issues that may include suicidal thoughts, family and intimate partner violence (including elder abuse), alcohol and other drugs, relationship issues, sexual assault, social isolation, mental health and wellbeing. Through advice, referral and support from an experienced LGBTIQA+ peer, Rainbow Door will help LGBTIQA+ people navigate the system to access needed support. Support hours are between 10am – 5pm, 7 days a week via phone call, email and text. Call: 1800 729 367
New South Wales
NSW Domestic Violence Line
The NSW Domestic Violence Line provides counselling and referrals to women experiencing domestic and family violence. Caseworkers on the Domestic Violence Line can help you: get hospital care, counselling and family support services, understand what an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) is and how to get one, develop a safety plan for you and your children, find emergency accommodation for you and your children, help you with transport for you and your children, talk to the police, courts and lawyers. Support is available from trained female caseworkers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 1800 65 64 63
Australian Capital Territory
Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS)
Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS) helps people build lives free from domestic violence and fear. DVCS is passionate about breaking the domestic violence cycle in the Canberra community. For over thirty years DVCS have been providing emergency and long-term support, advice, domestic violence resources, and services. The Crisis phone line is available 24/7: (02) 6280 0900
Queensland
DVConnect
DVConnect helps Queenslanders find pathways to safety, away from domestic, family and sexual violence. DVConnect provides emergency transport and accommodation for your entire family including pets and also provides safety planning, crisis counselling, intervention, information and referrals at no cost to you. DVConnect operates bridging accommodation residence Bella's Sanctuary, a safe haven for victim survivors to heal and rebuild their lives. DVConnect also educates through their Workplace Domestic and Family Violence Training program. Online web chat is available Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. The helpline is available to call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 1800 811 811
Parentline
Parentline is a free confidential telephone service providing professional counselling and support in Queensland and the Northern Territory to parents and carers, provided by the Queensland and Northern Territory State Governments. Parentline provides counselling support for parents and carers of children of all ages who may be struggling with a range of parenting issues. Online web chat is available every day from 8am–9pm. Phone lines are open 7 days a week between 8am–10pm: 1300 301 300
Tasmania
Safe At Home
Safe at Home is Tasmania's integrated criminal justice response to family violence and is underpinned by the Family Violence Act (2004). It involves a range of services working together to address the risk and safety needs of victims and children and hold perpetrators accountable. You can report or discuss family violence incidents through the Family Violence Response and Referral Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 1800 633 937
Family Violence Counselling and Support Service (FVCSS)
FVCSS offers professional and specialised services to assist children, young people and adults affected by family violence. FVCSS has offices in Burnie, Launceston and Hobart and appointments can also be made to see clients in other locations. Services include: information, counselling and support; safety planning; information to other services supporting people affected by family violence; assistance to access Police; referrals and advocacy in organising a safe place to stay; referrals to other Safe at Home partner agencies; legal services; financial services and the community sector; therapeutic group work programs; liaison with Government and non-government sector on behalf of clients. Phone support is available 9am–midnight weekdays and 4pm–midnight weekends and public holidays: 1800 608 122
South Australia
Domestic Violence Crisis Line
The DVCL is an essential service and provides support, counselling and safe accomodation options to women, and their children, who are experiencing domestic and family violence. The Domestic Violence Crisis Line is available 24/7: 1800 800 098.
Northern Territory
Dawn House
Dawn House Women and Children’s Shelter derived its name from ‘Dawn’, meaning ‘the first appearance of light, daybreak, a beginning’; a concept dating back more than 1500 years. Dawn House marks a new beginning for the women who come into it and has always been a service that is run by women for women and their children. Dawn House provides services to women and children escaping domestic and family violence, including domestic violence counselling and crisis accomodations services. Calls can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: (08) 8945 1388
Parentline
Parentline is a free confidential telephone service providing professional counselling and support in Queensland and the Northern Territory to parents and carers, provided by the Queensland and Northern Territory State Governments. Parentline provides counselling support for parents and carers of children of all ages who may be struggling with a range of parenting issues. Online web chat is available every day from 8am–9pm. Phone lines are open 7 days a week between 8am–10pm: 1300 301 300
Western Australia